MEANS OF TRANSPORT...

Collage activity on the topic MODES OF TRANSPORT was organised for the students of classes 3 and 4. It  is an outstanding way of teaching them in a practical manner.Under the guidance of their respective subject teachers ,the pupils pasted different modes of transport on the provided cut outs.The activity proved even more beneficial when they expressed themselves through art in an open way and the activity enhanced their learning skills. Teachers motivated and guided children to express them effectively.

Next was the scrapbook making activity which motivated the primary students to learn how to classify different modes of transport according to place where they are used-sky,sea or land.The students pasted pictures of various kinds of transport used in countries like Australia, UK,Germany and India. The activity improved their ability to segregate and categorise.The children even wrote a few lines about the development of transportation from ancient to modern era. The teachers emphasized the importance of vehicles and reinforced knowledge through the activity.

After the completion of scrapbooks, the students had countrywise group presentation where they analysed different aspects of transport modes. Pupils were able to characterise the transport management process and development of transport in various countries.The children enhanced their communication skills. They equally developed vocabulary and were able to present information logically.

Power point presentation on the theme Importance of Means of Transport was shown in the  audio-visual room to the students .The enthusiastic students participated in an interactive session .They were thrilled to see the development in transport and were trying to comprehend the relation between efficient transport system and high economic growth .

After every activity, a brain storming questionnaire was given and students were evaluated on the depth of understanding . The students’ answers reflected their first hand learning experiences. The students learned about their brothers in different countries.

On the successful completion of the activity, a positive reinforcement was given to the students by the teachers in form of plentiful praises.It sparked their imagination and are more informed children.

About the Author:

The Author is Ms. Farah Awasthi, Primary Co-ordinator, Meenakshi Public School

www.meenakshipublicschool.com

THE ART OF CONCENTRATION...

Concentration is defined as your ability to direct your thinking. The art or practice of concentration, no matter if studying biology or playing pool, is to focus on the task at hand and eliminate distraction. We all have the ability to concentrate but there are times when concentration leaves us. Think of times when you were “lost” in something you enjoy: a sport, music, a good game or your favorite movie- that can be defined precisely as concentration as these were the times you were totally into the activity. But there are times when your mind wanders from one thing to another. These are the times when:

- Your worries distract you

- Outside distractions take you away even before you know it

- The material is boring, difficult and/or not interesting

In all the above mentioned moments the mind is disturbed and the guilt of not doing the right work at the right time torments you. While the problem of distraction is harmful for everyone, the worst sufferers are the students for whom it is of utmost importance to concentrate and study diligently. These tips might help in dealing with this problem:

Before engaging in your studies try to center yourself with silence; clearing your mind of distractions that may disrupt your productivity.

- Make a dedicated place only for studying. Eg. Chair, table etc.

- Stick to routine and make an efficient study schedule

- Focus

- Incentives as food treat, walk, calling your friends etc. help to de-stress and thereby increases concentration in the later works that you might do

- Change topics

- Take regular, scheduled breaks that fit you

- Give yourself rewards after fulfilling stipulated tasks

By all these practices you can be assured to notice changes. These practices will benefit not only students but also all those who want to do a work sincerely and effectively. Whenever your thoughts start wandering scold yourself and say strictly “Be here now”. As a popular saying goes: “Success is like a camera. Only focus on what is most important. Ignore trivial details. Concentrate on your main goal image for success. Develop your pictures. If they don't turn out, don't give up. Take more shots at it. Always be persistent. Focus on making success clearly happen.”

About the Author:

The Author is Mr. Pankaj Sharma, P.G.T. Chemistry, Meenakshi World School

www.meenakshiworldschool.com

Students and Teaching today...

In today’s scenario, it appears a new education system has to be evolved. The curiosity the students and the aspiration among teachers has led to the onset of new era of learning. Gone are the days when books held all the knowledge. The technology has replaced the search of information to explore knowledge just a click away.  Classroom dictations have transformed into discussions and dialogues. The pursuit of knowledge now leads to expansion of minds and questioning rather than simply accepting the facts. ‘Why’ is the new keyword for all understanding of concepts. Class-work is now modified into an ever learning audio visual experience and homework is more reasoning than duplicating textbooks on the paper. Learning and teaching has become more of discovering than simply transferring of discovered knowledge. Students and education today has changed the TEACHER into TEACH- HER. Students today want to learn fast at the same time share fast. Role of teachers is more demanding rather it was ever before. Teacher is no more the one with text-books and handouts. Now students get problems and solutions to the teacher way ahead she completes a topic in the class. Class-rooms have now been converted into interactive sessions rather than lecture rooms. Technology has advanced the students and opened new horizons for everybody. Now questions seem to be less with four fold availability of answers. The thoughts and thought process has emerged a new level of inquisitiveness among the future generations that unattainable word seems to be deleted soon from our dictionaries.

About The Author:

The Author is Ms. Deepshikha, Pre-Primary Educator, Blooming Buds

www.bloomingbudsmws.com

MODERNIZATION – A NATION HAZARD...

“Modernization has come to mankind itself in several ways, Some say it’s good, some say it’s bad.”

Modernization refers to a model of programme transition from a pre-modern or traditional to a modern society. It looks at internal dynamics while referring to a social and cultural structures and adaptations of new technologies. Modernization seems to have main phases of its course at a certain point which carries institutions and values of the modern society. But beyond some points however modernization began to breed discontent on an increasing large scale. This is due to rising expectation provoked by early success and demands of people, Groups tend to make escalating demands which becomes very difficult to meet. India is one of the pioneers of modernization and will continue to be. It supplies its new resist technologies in countries like USA, Pakistan, Germany etc. but negative consequences of modernization are reaching height.

We invent a device for making our lives comfortable and then another to safeguard it and then another to safeguard the last one, and in this journey from good to better- better to best there is no full stop on inventions. It is not said that stop modernization and start caring for the nature, but if we cut seventeen fully grown trees for making a ton of paper, then we should plant 70 more trees there. Just imagine carrying heavy oxygen tanks on our backs will not be fun. We all know that a tree can reduce pollution created by a car driven for about 18,000 km. Modernization has affected our nation in fields of fishing, agriculture, food production and power management of power resources.

Coming to the topic of culture, Indian culture is always a salute as Indians have been caring for years.

 Points to change are accepted but not in cost of losing its heritage and its trait.

Listen – “To be modernize does not mean to be rich in wealth or status but it means to be rich is wisdom.”

About the Author:
The Author is Nitish from Grade 8-C, Meenakshi Public School
www.meenakshipublicschool.com

WE FIRST MAKE OUR HABITS AND THEN OUR HABITS MAKE US...

Conquer your bad habits, or they’ll eventually conquer you. Constructive habits support us to resist temptations such as the temptation to procrastinate or to avoid challenging situations. When we exercise constructive habits, we develop an internal muscle to support our will and support our true intentions. When we allow ourselves to be complacent with unconstructive habits, we allow ourselves to stay put right where we are.

Don’t think where/ how you are? Develop a few new habits. Just one or two at a time. Give each new habit at least a month to take root. Then add one more new habit. Keep adding one new habit each month as long as you don’t feel overwhelmed; if that happened, don’t add anymore until you feel stable. You may even need to place some on the back burner if you’re seriously overwhelmed. That’s ok; it’ll happen in good time. The important thing for new constructive habit is to root firmly.

Adopt the practice of observing your behavior and your mind and of catching yourself being tempted to do something or not to do something that isn’t constructive for you. It may not be easy at first to notice and observe much, less to resist the temptation to fall back into old behavior, but if you are diligent and consistent about it, you can not only break a bad habit, but even form a new positive habit.

What is one habit that is holding you back? Which habit is holding you back the most? Which habit, if it were eliminated, would improve your life the most? What constructive habit would best replace it? How can you put a plan in place to overcome that bad habit? For example an internet addict might have turned this way because he needs to socialize online. If he managed to socialize in a better way he won’t feel like using the internet that much. Many people want to break bad habits but aren’t really motivated to do it. This usually happens when they don’t have a good reason to quit. Once you start knowing more about the harmful effects of your habit, whether they are physical or psychological you will become more motivated to break it. You will notice the positive affirmation on the mirror. Think & what can you put in place today to transform the most critical habit you identify?

TAKE CARE OF THE FIRST STEP RIGHT NOW AND SEE HOW IT GOES!

About the Author:
The Author is Ms. Preeti Mohanty, PRT English, Meenakshi Public School
www.meenakshipublicschool.com 

Small Wonders...

In the busy world when the world vies to go ahead and create several new worlds there is no place where one can find solace to sit back and wile away some time in leisure. Life is racing and we, mere players in this theatre of life, are participants to the race. No one wins in this race but some people surely loose. They lose their peace, solitude and above all their heart and selves. Can there be any practical solution to this whole game of losing and never winning? In the game of gaining control and acquiring power we are left with the basic question who really are the players and who are the on lookers. The onlookers are they who are perhaps the most vulnerable beings the almighty created, the children. They are indeed the most vulnerable, the most innocent and at most times the most fragile beings on earth but how many people really care and really realize this fact even when the fact remains true to every word. In our race to win and dominate, we almost always forget that wittingly or unwittingly they become our pawns. Our demands exceed their interests and capabilities. Our ambitions surpass their dreams and our desires pose the biggest hurdle and threat to their happiness.

All parents and grownups want the little ones to be disciplined and well mannered. This want, apparently seeming selfless and perfect, actually comes as a punishment for the child wherein he is left disturbed and most often makes him/her stubborn. As grownups we tend to medicate even before knowing what the illness actually is or where exactly is it hurting. We complain about kids that they do not go out and play and are busy with video games or movies but do we ever stop to think whether we have given them the space and time to go out and play. In our ride up the success ladder we have acquired all the open spaces to build our mansions of ambition and what they are left with is one small balcony where they try and set up their world. We never try to enter that world lest our precious time is wasted and try our best to bring them out too because for us their world is utopia and holds no meaning. We sulk when obesity and teeth disorders plague our children but forget that it is we who supplied them the doses of chocolates, ice creams, burgers and pizzas in compensation to the time that we devoted to our offices, our colleagues, our friends, in the club playing cards and the late nights watching a football match instead of sharing the simple joys of life with the children.

Let us stop from our very busy lives and ponder over our own childhood, our parents and our lives which we have left behind a long back. We were a bunch of happy people even when our sources were limited. Our children have indefinite access to resources but somehow their access to happiness and the simple pleasures of life has been lost. That is why instead of gazing at nature and gasping at its beauty from their window seats and travelling to the unknown just by closing their eyes their minds are lost in the six inches display of their mobile phones. In the rush to score the maximum marks they have forgot to appreciate what they are studying; in becoming the best singer, the best dancer and the best artist they no longer treat these as arts but as burdens which exist along with the other subjects to haunt and torture.

Let us pause for a while and do some serious thinking and gift our children their childhood as no gift could be better than this and nothing would make them happier. In doing so the closed doors of our peaceful living might open as well.

About the Author:

The Author is Ms. Payal Dan, PGT English Teacher, Meenakshi World School

www.meenakshiworldschool.com

Dilemma of Handling Present Day Students...

Gross materialism is eating into the vitals of society and a certain agnostic attitude is evident almost everywhere. In today’s era, when almost every child has easy access to the internet, kids have become curious about certain aspects of life, which they want to explore much before the right age. As such sometimes they fall prey to their curiosity and inadvertently land into serious trouble. It is also seen that children today cannot deal with emotional stress and they try to convert psychological pain into physical pain by inflicting some sort of injury or harm to self or even commit suicide. This radical change causes worry to the society and increases responsibility of teachers.

Role of Teachers in Meeting the Challenges:

Teachers play a significant role in elevating quality of students. Education must be focused at producing smarter, morally and spiritually strong and globally competent students, who are motivated, value based, able to take sound decisions based on critical thinking, communicate effectively and pursue life long learning. Therefore, there is a need for the teachers to modify traditional educational methods and their day to day dealings with the students. The following points, if followed and implemented strictly in letter and spirit, would go a long way in addressing some of the problems of the students.

a)      Teachers should be role model, by setting personal example.

b)      Teachers should be caring and sensitive in their behavior towards students.

c)      Rapport is to be established and communication with students should be non judgemental, patient and tolerant. Students should feel free to share their personal problems.

d)      Teachers should never condemn, compare or label a student.

e)      Always help students develop EQ along with IQ, so that they can face adverse situations and calamities stoically.

f)       The need to sharpen and update their skills on a regular basis to meet the demand of students, who are today far more inquisitive and tech savvy.

g)      In today’s environment E-learning and audio visual methods are of utmost importance and compatible with the present day requirement, hence should be incorporated into the system.

h)      Teachers must endeavor to develop creativity and innovative approach in teaching to achieve the best possible results and enriching personality, realizing full potential and attaining multi-dimensional development of students.

i)        Teachers should provide ample opportunities in form of discussions, debate and innovative projects to make classroom teaching more lively and effective.

j)        The moral values that nourish and nurture moral being should be laid stress upon and developed in students.

k)      Teachers should never indulge in physical handling of a child for any mistake.

l)        The paradox of today’s metro-urban culture is that parents have time for everything except for children, who are generally left alone. Since changing social dynamics make double income families a norm, this also adds to the existing problem of managing children. Therefore, it becomes imperative on part of the teachers to have a regular interaction with the parents particularly in those cases where the child is not upto the mark.

The above list is in no way exhaustive and comprehensive and these are a few random thoughts with experience, which have been jotted down as guide and can always be improved upon by a talented teacher.

About the Author:

The Author is Ms. Asha Chauhan, Teacher, Meenakshi Public School

www.meenakshipublicschool.com